The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) notes the announcement of National and Regional Elections (N&RE), even as the electorate for 17 years has been denied the right to elect their local leaders through local government elections. That notwithstanding, the N&RE will give the electorate an opportunity to exercise their franchise which they have been doing since 1947. The 68 years right for eligible Guyanese to elect a government of their choice with the advent of universal suffrage, was fought for by the trade union movement since the embryonic days of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.
In President Ramotar’s address to the nation this evening it was noted that no mention was made as to when the prorogation will be lifted and the parliament will be dissolved, paving the way for the stated elections. GTUC condemns the continued prorogation and the ignoring of this by the Donald Ramotar regime, which must know fully well that the life of parliament has to end. What the president has done is unprecedented in post independent Guyana.
The nation should be advised by the constitutional lawyers on how we proceed since the Ramotar regime has thrown the country into a tailspin. It is the first time the nation has had a date set for N&RE and the life of parliament continues to exist. This country is sailing in uncharted waters. GTUC calls on the nation and international community to note in the absence of the President saying when the parliament will be dissolved, the country still faces a constitutional crisis. The GTUC further calls on the opposition and progressive forces, including media, to police this situation and to give leadership to the society.
In the meanwhile the Ramotar regime continues to spend the workers/taxpayers’ moneys without involvement, oversight and approval of the nation’s highest decision making arm, the National Assembly. This lawless and reckless behaviour must be condemned. It remains a national disgrace that the Guyana parliament has not functioned since July 2014. This means for seven long months and counting the PPP regime has had no oversight. This is akin to having questionable characters in charge of the bank with the vault open and no security system in place.